U.S. Army Advances Autonomous Vehicle Tech with Polaris, Forterra, and Dataspeed
VILSECK, Germany – The U.S. Army concluded a key testing phase this week, evaluating autonomous ground vehicle technology designed for future battlefield logistics, reconnaissance, and medical evacuation. The xTech|Edge Strike: Ground competition, held March 13 in Vilseck, Germany, saw three companies – Dataspeed, Forterra, and Overland AI – integrate their autonomous systems into Polaris off-road vehicles.
The Army’s initiative aims to identify new automated platforms capable of operating in challenging, contested environments, reducing risks to soldiers. The demonstrations focused on the MRZR D4, RANGER XD 1500, and RZR XP 1000 vehicles, adapted for unmanned operation.
Dataspeed Inc. equipped the MRZR D4 with its Kinetic360 autonomous vehicle system and drive-by-wire technology. According to Dataspeed CEO Paul Fleck, the system is designed to enable missions like logistics resupply and casualty evacuation without a driver. “Our goal is to provide defense teams with autonomous systems that can operate reliably in rugged, contested environments while reducing risk to personnel,” Fleck said.
Forterra utilized the heavier-duty Polaris RANGER XD 1500, developing the LANCER autonomous ground vehicle. The RANGER XD 1500 boasts a 110-horsepower engine and a STEELDRIVE automatic transmission, designed for durability in demanding operations.
Overland AI showcased its ULTRA autonomous ground vehicle, integrating its OverDrive autonomy software into the Polaris RZR XP 1000. Greg Okopal, co-founder and chief operating officer of Overland AI, highlighted the importance of the Polaris platform to his company’s development. “Overland AI got its start on the Polaris RZR, and now we build our custom vehicle ULTRA based on that chassis,” he stated.
Polaris Government and Defense, the vehicle provider, sees a growing role for its platforms in autonomous systems. “Polaris vehicles have become force multipliers for expeditionary warfighters worldwide, and the integration of autonomy can expand the roles and capabilities of the vehicles even further,” said Nick Francis, Vice President of Polaris Government and Defense. The company also noted its vehicles are already in use by over 50 military and security forces globally and are available through a streamlined procurement process via the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).
The Army’s exploration of autonomous ground vehicles reflects a broader trend in defense technology, as militaries worldwide seek to leverage automation to enhance capabilities and protect personnel. This competition represents a significant step towards integrating these technologies into real-world military operations.